Constant fear : I constantly all day long... - Anxiety Support

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Constant fear

hardworker190 profile image
71 Replies

I constantly all day long feel like I am dying, I have had every test under the sun ran on me and everything comes back normal. I feel drs have missed something, constantly checking my pulse and blood pressure all day long literally and constantly feel like my heart is gonna stop at any moment. My head feels like it’s in a cloud and feel like I’m detached from myself. It’s getting ridiculous

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hardworker190
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71 Replies
poisoneppie profile image
poisoneppie

It’s all in our minds. Its normal to fear death but don’t let this thought consumes you. Always remember that every tests came back normal which means you are alright. When fear strikes think that its only your mind playing tricks on you. Yes its hard but its one way of confronting your fear.

Do you have a support system like your family? Friends? I am sure this forum is one of the best support system we could get. But having warm bodies around you will be a great help. Be strong. You are better than this. Pray for guidance. God is our only refuge in times when we feel alone and isolated. Have faith, a cure will come and it will start within you. Godbless and stay strong.

hardworker190 profile image
hardworker190 in reply to poisoneppie

Amen I believe that it’s hard because it’s becoming debilitating where I can’t even enjoy my life but instead I keep pushing myself

kokkoo profile image
kokkoo in reply to hardworker190

I also can’t enjoy my life. It’s like before and after. You just have a severe case of panic attack or panic disorder. Try to analyze your life, take away the stress.

Jodz profile image
Jodz

Yes I did that for ever , pulse , bp etc etc . I was at the end of my tether and went to my Drs . 3 weeks today I have been on Zoloft and I’m slowly stopping all that checking , the bad thoughts might come but disappear really quick . I’m starting to live

Liz0 profile image
Liz0 in reply to Jodz

Are you able to discuss your experience with Zoloft? I’ve started sertraline I believe is the same medication a week ago and side effects are crazy x

Jodz profile image
Jodz in reply to Liz0

Hi yes it’s the same . My side effects was nausea, aching jaw , headaches . I’m still having days feeling a bit sick but most of it has stopped . I’m def feeling better , have not had one panic attack and I was having lots , im not anxious 24/7 , im not overthinking everything , not checking my pulse every minute . I’m finding going into big shops is way better , that light headed feeling is nearly non existent. I def recommend to give them ago and stick it out . Good luck 😉

Liz0 profile image
Liz0 in reply to Jodz

I’m crippled with anxiety constantly and I don’t know how much longer I can take this torture😩

Jodz profile image
Jodz in reply to Liz0

LizO go to the Drs and try meds . I was at the end of my tether just over 3 weeks ago , and it’s the best thing I have done . I’m 54yo and have had anxiety all my life but didn’t know what it was . It got worse . I swore I would never go onto meds . But I’m telling you they are the best . Please go to the Drs

Liz0 profile image
Liz0 in reply to Jodz

I did and got zoloft / sertraline which I started a week ago but the side effects are not pleasant and I’m struggling to get through each day the anxiety is bad from the moment I wake up if I manage to sleep

Jodz profile image
Jodz in reply to Liz0

LizO push through ,I can tell you it’s worth it . I got great support off here telling me to hang in and push through and I am . It will be 4 weeks on Wednesday

That’s no way to be and I know it. I didn’t know I had health anxiety until I stumbled across this site. After tests I am normal too. Doctors don’t tell you what do do about the condition you have got do they?

Ok so this is what I did/do: anything I focus on to the exclusion of just about all else, I treat it as an addiction...constant thoughts about health, internet games, people, chocolate (that was a hard one). I have given up smoking cigarettes and chewing nicotine gum and ordinary gum, so I know what I am talking about! I have an addictive behaviour.

Habits take about 90 days to cure. Recognise all the things you do around your health anxiety and plan what nice things you can do instead. Set a date to aim for...not too distant....and stop taking your blood pressure. Maybe give the monitor to someone for now.

I am not saying never see a Doctor again, but check first if you’re listening to your anxiety talking.

It worked for me. Try it?

I wish you well.

Mickle13 profile image
Mickle13

Hi! My anxiety can be overwhelming sometimes. I have MS, so I'm always absolutely sure I am having new symptoms that indicate the MS is progressing. My mind runs away with me and I get to be a slave to those thoughts.

A huge help for me is having a great psychiatrist and therapist. They help me keep my feet on the ground. I don't want you to add this to the list of things you worry about, but feeling detached from yourself might be something to talk to a psychiatrist about. A psychiatrist and therapist can also help with the anxiety and depression.

I agree with Christina about getting rid of the blood pressure machine. It might be a difficult thing to do, but if your docs have cleared you physically, it's only feeding into your fears.

I hope you can find the support you need and the peace of mind you deserve!

HealthyHappySafe profile image
HealthyHappySafe

Do you have any symptoms that would point to heart problems ? (Palpitations, skips etc?) or is just a general worry/feeling ?

hardworker190 profile image
hardworker190 in reply to HealthyHappySafe

Yes I do palpitations all day long..heart flutters, but they have run ekgs, I have wore a heart monitor, blood work and had a echocardiogram and everything comes back normal

HealthyHappySafe profile image
HealthyHappySafe in reply to hardworker190

Did they diagnose you with ectopic beats ? PAC/PVC?

I get these and I feel the exact same as what you describe in your original post! It’s awful. With therapy , mindfulness and low cardio exercise I am trying to work past it !

hardworker190 profile image
hardworker190 in reply to HealthyHappySafe

It makes me feel like my heart is gonna stop

FrankinHealth19 profile image
FrankinHealth19 in reply to hardworker190

Do you have any muscular pain or discomfort, around your neck, shoulders or back?

kokkoo profile image
kokkoo in reply to hardworker190

I had same story. This July ran all the tests for my heart it came normal. They as well said that it’s anxiety related.

dbeck128 profile image
dbeck128

In the same boat as you. I am so happy that I've found you! Lol. I know its hard:( let's work together in this fight!

hardworker190 profile image
hardworker190 in reply to dbeck128

Is it that bad for you too?

dbeck128 profile image
dbeck128 in reply to hardworker190

That bad? I'm in the ER right now convinced I'm dying. 😳🙄😔

Agora1 profile image
Agora1 in reply to dbeck128

dbeck, wishing you well. You are going to be okay.

They will do the tests they feel are necessary. You are

in good hands. Let us know how everything goes. xx

Tikirob profile image
Tikirob

Not a psychologist but it sounds like you have OCD/Health Anxiety. Which is a rough thing to have and the sooner you get professional treatment for it the better.

hardworker190 profile image
hardworker190 in reply to Tikirob

Do you have the same thing ?

Tikirob profile image
Tikirob in reply to hardworker190

Yes.

julesFD profile image
julesFD

Hi Hardworker, I joined this forum because I really thought there was something wrong with me. It's a horrible feeling and it's like nobody else can understand exactly what you are going through. I'm waiting for counselling and CBT. You wouldn't believe how quickly you would start to feel better if you could just really really believe the doctors and that there is nothing wrong. I found that when things get bad for me, I focus on something else. I bought one of those adult colouring books and found that colouring in really helps to take my focus away from worrying and my health. It might work for you too. Good luck, and please try and find a way to focus on something new.

hardworker190 profile image
hardworker190 in reply to julesFD

How do you feel?

julesFD profile image
julesFD in reply to hardworker190

I'm going to be honest. I still have depression and I still worry about having to go to hospital and things like that but I'm not so fixated and constantly googling my symptoms anymore. It's hard but it's doable and sometimes it feels like it's such an effort but the second I feel my fear and worry getting out of control, I stop and start asking myself questions like okay you've felt this anxious before, did anything bad happen? Did it last long or did it eventually go away on it's own?...things like that. I try and put things in perspective which is easier said than done I know. Then if I can't shake the anxiety off, out comes my colouring books or I will go do the dishes or something. Anything really which takes my focus off of my health. Way I see it is if it can take my mind off worrying even for five minutes then it's better than constantly in fear and it does get easier.

hardworker190 profile image
hardworker190 in reply to julesFD

I literally feel like my heart is gonna stop and I’m gonna die at every moment of the day

o2G2o profile image
o2G2o in reply to hardworker190

I had the same thing, lasted about a year for me. It's fucking awful. People who've never experienced it could never come close to understanding what it's like. If I'd hear an ambulance going by my first thought was "I need to go stop the ambulance and get them to make sure I'm ok..." Never could stand being more than a few minutes drive from a hospital "just in case". Are you exhausted from it? I used to sleep 14 hours straight a couple of times a week and stayed home from work a lot. Needed several naps throughout the day.

hardworker190 profile image
hardworker190 in reply to o2G2o

How do you feel now?

o2G2o profile image
o2G2o in reply to hardworker190

Normal - which is to say I still have fears once in a while like anyone else, but I'm perfectly happy to stay like this. I'm high-functioning, work every day, sleep normally, don't have panic attacks at all anymore, can travel, etc.

hardworker190 profile image
hardworker190 in reply to o2G2o

How did you overcome it?

o2G2o profile image
o2G2o in reply to hardworker190

Patience, understanding what it was that I was experiencing (in part due to this forum), giving my nerves time to heal, learning how train my mind to not overreact to everything (that takes the longest)... It's doable without medication and so much better that way.

hardworker190 profile image
hardworker190 in reply to o2G2o

Omg yes I don’t want to get on medication, I know it’s possible

hardworker190 profile image
hardworker190 in reply to o2G2o

What are some things you did to overcome? The such part is that no matter how much I sleep I’m still constantly drained

o2G2o profile image
o2G2o in reply to hardworker190

I'll help you when I get to the office, don't worry man - you'll be fine soon enough. 👍

o2G2o profile image
o2G2o in reply to hardworker190

Do you use a messaging app like WhatsApp or Telegram? Texts to the States cost me a buck apiece I think!

hardworker190 profile image
hardworker190 in reply to o2G2o

I have never used those apps

hardworker190 profile image
hardworker190 in reply to o2G2o

I just downloaded the app WhatsApp

o2G2o profile image
o2G2o in reply to hardworker190

Whoops, didn't see these replies before. For some reason they didn't go into my notifications. Thanks for downloading that. 👍

TrustnGod profile image
TrustnGod in reply to o2G2o

Wow so you didn’t go on medication?

hardworker190 profile image
hardworker190 in reply to TrustnGod

Its possible I know it is mind over matter as tough of a pill that is to swallow

o2G2o profile image
o2G2o in reply to TrustnGod

I actually took 5mg citalopram for a couple of months but it made me so sleepy that I had to get off it. Plus I REALLY didn't want to be on meds anyway - gave it a shot out of desperation.

poisoneppie profile image
poisoneppie in reply to hardworker190

My cardiologist once told me that if i keep on thinking and worrying, i might indeed get a heart attack. This after my angiogram came back negative. So what Jules suggests to ask yourself is the very same thing i run through my head every time my anxiety would start. “Last time? What? Ahh you are ok. See you are still alive til now.”Same thing over and over. And it would go away. Try to convince yourself that you ain’t gonna die. I know its easier said than done but you need to try. Hang on there, the battle is real but believe me, we all are going to get through with this. We are better than this. God bless!

hardworker190 profile image
hardworker190 in reply to poisoneppie

Nobody has ever had a heart attacks from anxiety in history so your cardiologist is no giving good information

o2G2o profile image
o2G2o in reply to poisoneppie

Wow, your cardiologist is a dick!

hardworker190 profile image
hardworker190 in reply to o2G2o

Right I agree, nobody in history has ever had a heart attack from anxiety

o2G2o profile image
o2G2o in reply to hardworker190

I messaged you above re: texting btw - I'm in Canada so if I straight SMS you it's gonna be an expensive day (glad I checked because I though it was free in North America for me) but if you use WhatsApp or Telegram I've added you as a contact so we could chat that way if you want. Also there's a private chat function built into this forum if you didn't know!

hardworker190 profile image
hardworker190 in reply to o2G2o

Send me a message on what’sapp

o2G2o profile image
o2G2o in reply to hardworker190

Done

Aliciar profile image
Aliciar

I have the same thing. It started after i had my son 3 years ago had to clue what was going on. His first year I bet I went to the er 5 times bc i knew I was having a heart attack. I found a good

Psychiatrist and counselor they have really helped me. I tried several different ssri’s but finally settled on Zoloft. This past year has been the best year no trips to the er. I still have a passing thought about my heart. But don’t let it consume me.

Until I did something stupid 2 months ago and came off my Zoloft. I thought i was better but 2 weeks ago bam everything came racing back all the thoughts all the feelings. I fought it for 1 week but finally yesterday I went to the urgent care to be seen. They told me everything was fine. So i made an appointment to see my dr to get back on some form of meds.

I hope this helps i don’t know. But if you have all the test done. Believe me I know it’s easier said than done but TRUST the doctors. If you don’t feel you can then find doctors you can trust and who will listen to you and not just brush it off as anxiety. My dr always tells me, you can’t assume everything is anxiety.

kokkoo profile image
kokkoo

Same story. Only it will come and go on mornings or evenings or when I go outside or when I try to fall asleep. Only my heart rate would go to 180-160 and blood pressure would rise. I have been in ER like 8 times this summer. It’s been a nightmare. Im ready for anything, im not afraid to die anymore because I’m so tired of fighting this feeling. I just let it be. I’m alone in US, don’t have my family here. My only support is the hope that it will get better and praying to God.

hardworker190 profile image
hardworker190 in reply to kokkoo

It can and does get better trust me I’m not there yet but I know it gets better

o2G2o profile image
o2G2o in reply to kokkoo

"Im ready for anything, im not afraid to die anymore because I’m so tired of fighting this feeling. I just let it be."

That's the first step. Stick with that!

kokkoo profile image
kokkoo in reply to o2G2o

I have a physical job. I work as an executive housekeeper in the hotel. Each time I get home exhausted, that’s why it was so hard to let go of thinking that I have something wrong with my heart, because I was thinking that I overwork my heart. Because my heart is constantly at the high rate. But then I think of all of those people that work as bartenders, waiters, workers that help to build and etc. I’m pretty sure they are raising their heart rate high as well. By trying to give logic to it, it helped me as well.

o2G2o profile image
o2G2o in reply to kokkoo

So working physically is actually good for your heart, it's exercise. But if your resting heartbeat is at say 100bpm and working brings it to 130bpm, and you realize it's fast - then the anxiety that you may be overworking it comes in and raises it to 160bpm. The exercise is likely only raising the heart rate in a normal way, the anxiety brings it out of the normal spectrum.

o2G2o profile image
o2G2o

I have your number now, please delete it

TrustnGod profile image
TrustnGod

I completely agree with kokkoo’s reply. I’ve lost count of how many ER/Urgent care trips I’ve taken because of my anxiety. 90% of those trips have been because of my heart too. I’ll go in with every symptoms of a heart attack and every single time he EKG’s, blood tests, and x-rays are completely fine. I’m learning slowly, but surely, to get through these bouts of anxiety and this is the advice I have for you.

First and foremost, do not ever EVER google your symptoms. Remember, you’re dealing with an overly sensitive nervous system that has zero ability to rationalize anything. So when you google, you bet those chemicals in your brain are going to be sending signals down your body that are going to make you feel everything you’re reading. When I google anything, it takes me up to a week to calm down from the anxiety I experience as a result.

Secondly, and most importantly, if you’re a Christian, pray. Prayer is my first response to my anxiety. There is nothing that can give me peace like my Lord and Savior.

Thirdly, do not ever fight your symptoms. Accept them and ride them out. Anxiety is a fire and when you’re fearing and fighting your symptoms, it’s only going to increase the fire. Ignore it and it’s flames can’t get any bigger and will eventually burn out. When you fight, you’re making your body so exhausted which is why you’re feeling drained all the time.

Lastly, be patient with yourself. Anxiety isn’t going to just disappear and never come back. Even people on medications still experience anxiety here and there. But when it comes back, still accept and ride it out. Don’t think “omg it’s back what is this. Something must be wrong”. If you just let it be, it’ll eventually away. If you freak out, that’s ok too. This road isn’t a smooth one. You’re going to have days when you’re completely fine and then the next you’re full of panic and anxiety and that is ok. When you’re having rough days, come on here and read posts by Agora and Beevee. Their posts are ABSOLUTELY amazing and remind you of what anxiety actually is.

When we are anxious, our minds are constantly sending our bodies into a fight or flight mode which is going to produce a lot of adrenaline that’s going through your body. This adrenaline is going to make you feel really weak, have jelly legs, make your heart pound and that’s where some of our symptoms come from. You’re also experiencing an overly sensitive nervous system as I mentioned and you better believe that this sensitized system can produce any symptom under the sun. Your nervous system is the entire reason why you’re able to feel anything. If it’s not it’s normal self, you won’t be either. By accepting anxiety, you’re going to give the nervous system a chance to heal. And return to a normal state.

You’re going to get through this.

~Lia

hardworker190 profile image
hardworker190 in reply to TrustnGod

I have heard of thousands of people overcoming anxiety and panic attacks without medication and rarely ever have any anxiety at all

TrustnGod profile image
TrustnGod in reply to hardworker190

Exactly. You rarely have it but that doesn’t mean it 100% goes away

Also that was not the point of my post

kokkoo profile image
kokkoo in reply to TrustnGod

Do you believe that changing lifestyle will help? Such as if my job is too hard for me should I think of doing something else? I get panic attacks when I travel use buses/trains. I was wondering if it will help if I’ll change it by not using it.

TrustnGod profile image
TrustnGod in reply to kokkoo

I’ll send you a private message regarding this.

o2G2o profile image
o2G2o in reply to TrustnGod

I say this not to provoke an argument with you, so let me be clear about that! I'm VERY strongly against religion in all its forms, and I don't believe in God one bit.

HOWEVER - and this is a big however - I think this is one case where prayer may actually be useful because you're handing off responsibility for the anxiety. You're essentially "giving up" and letting an entity you believe in handle it, and the "giving up" part is essential because you stop fighting your own body and mind.

When there's a missing child and people say "I'll pray for him" that annoys me REALLY badly, because it's tantamount to doing nothing. If you want to help find a missing child, put your bloody shoes on and go look for him, know what I mean? But I digress. If it helps you get over anxiety by handing that task over, then go for it. You could also speed up the process by just taking ownership of the problem and taking the necessary steps. When people give all the responsibility (and the credit!) to god I don't know that it's a good thing. People (including atheists) are all capable of amazing things. I feel bad that religious people can't be proud of something they did themselves. When I overcame my anxiety, I knew *I* did it, and that gave me a sense of pride and ownership for my own recovery.

TrustnGod profile image
TrustnGod in reply to o2G2o

The way that I was introduced to God and prayer, I look at this completely differently than you. Since I am not looking to began an argument either, I’m going to leave it at that.

In reply to your other reply to me, that’s incredible that you were able to get off of it even after being on it. So many people have problems getting off medication. I can tell you have strong willpower. I also can’t believe you went grouch this for an entire year. Did you have frequent ER/doctor visits as well?

o2G2o profile image
o2G2o in reply to TrustnGod

The medication was easy to get off of because a) I was on a VERY low dose (half of the lowest dose pill strength - I had to cut mine in half) and b) I took it for an extremely short time. I think medication should be avoided at all costs for certain people and anxiety types/degrees. The doctors are too quick to throw pills at the situation. A "simple" case of anxiety only needs understanding, self-awareness and willpower (as you pointed out). I feel like people don't realize that taking meds for it is basically the same as drinking to overcome stress. You're not getting rid of the source of stress - you're just taking the edge off so it doesn't bother you as much. Overcoming anxiety is 100% possible without medication, and could in fact take LESS time because meds just help you cope with it and drag it on longer.

EDIT: sorry, missed a question. I went to the ER twice in over a year, but had I given in every time I felt like I *should* go, I'd have just moved in. lol

TrustnGod profile image
TrustnGod in reply to o2G2o

I agree. I wish there’d be more of a focus on addressing the emotional part of anxiety. Lol sometimes I feel that way like maybe I’ll just move in to the ER since I’m here too often anyway lol. But I just say I’m having an easier time rationalizing through the anxiety.

Dixie9326 profile image
Dixie9326 in reply to o2G2o

There is “NOTHING SIMPLE” about an anxiety disorder.. it is very difficult to treat...willpower is very difficult when you are going down the rabbit hole..

Taking meds IS NOT the same as drinking . People with anxiety have unbalanced brain chemicals and need help to balance them.. MEDS are the best thing that ever happened for people with anxiety.. couple that with getting enough sleep, a good diet and most of all...EXERCISE...

There are many that suffer with anxiety over a lifetime and wishing it away is not possible by most anxiety sufferers... :(:(:(

TrustnGod profile image
TrustnGod

Ok I’m not sure why my other post is still there I thought I accidentally deleted it but oh well.

1blessedfamily profile image
1blessedfamily

This is exactly how I feel. It makes me want to give up. I feel like I can’t even think straight. I have been diagnosed with Lyme disease but I can’t even handle the treatment.

1blessedfamily profile image
1blessedfamily in reply to 1blessedfamily

Please look into doing DNRS by Annie hopper

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